Wahab and Hernandez clash over outside money, Afghanistan and BART in first debate for the full House term

The two Democrats competing to represent Pleasanton in Congress for the next full term met onstage for the first time Wednesday night, in an hourlong debate in Dublin that touched on AI data centers and housing but kept returning to campaign money and personal attacks.

Rep. Aisha Wahab, who won an Aug. 18 special election to finish former Rep. Eric Swalwell's term, faced BART Board President and former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez. Wahab took 53% of the vote to Hernandez's 47% in August, according to the Mercury News, and took her seat last month, becoming the House's first Afghan American member.

The two are on the Nov. 3 ballot for the term that begins in January.

The Dublin Chamber of Commerce hosted the debate at Dublin's Holiday Inn, with KPIX anchor Juliette Goodrich moderating. The 14th Congressional District includes Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, Fremont and Hayward.

Outside spending

Asked about the millions of dollars outside political action committees have spent in the race, Wahab pointed to groups tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which have bought ads backing Hernandez and attacking Wahab. "Outside spending supported my opponent to be able to go and have four elections that we're dealing with right now," Wahab said, according to the Mercury News.

Hernandez said "we can't control the independent expenditures" and invited voters to look at where her money comes from. "I have not made enemies like my opponent has, and maybe that's why they support my campaign," she said.

Wahab also disputed the attack ads' claims about her record on drug crimes, trafficking and child safety, citing laws she worked to pass that toughened penalties for traffickers.

The closing exchange

The sharpest moment came at the end. Hernandez referred to an August interview on Democracy Now! in which Wahab said the U.S. should pursue diplomacy and a relationship with Afghanistan's leaders "regardless of which group is in power." Hernandez then described herself as someone who does not have "communications with the Taliban like my opponent."

The pro-Wahab crowd jeered, the Mercury News reported, and after the debate Wahab called the remark "fear-mongering" and "hate speech."

Policy differences

On health care, Wahab said she co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act in her first month in office. Hernandez said she is looking into health care for all but did not commit to backing it, saying the benefits and repercussions need study.

On housing, Wahab called for stronger renter protections, said she will introduce a bill to bar private equity firms from buying housing, and backed lower tariffs to bring down construction costs. Hernandez cited Dublin's first-time homebuyer program, which she helped pass, and also said Congress should lower tariffs.

Wahab criticized BART under Hernandez's leadership, saying theft on trains has risen and noting the state's $590 million loan to the transit agency. On regulating AI data centers, both said the issue needs attention; Hernandez argued the rules belong at the federal level rather than in a state-by-state patchwork, NBC Bay Area reported.

Mail ballots for the Nov. 3 election went out this week, and in-person voting opens Oct. 24, according to the Mercury News. Alameda County election information is at acvote.alamedacountyca.gov.

Sources

mercurynews.com

nbcbayarea.com